The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) announces the availability of administrative supplements to NICHD grantees to conduct research using human embryonic stem cell lines (hESCs) in accordance with the NIH-wide policies and guidelines that can be found at http://stemcells.nih.gov/policy/guidelines.asp.

The human ESCs to be used must be listed on the NIH Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry (http://stemcells.nih.gov/research/registry/). Principal Investigators of NICHD-funded R01, R37, P01 or U01 grants may request an administrative supplement not to exceed $75,000 direct costs (three modules) per year for each of two years. There must be at least two years of funding remaining on the parent grant at the time the supplement is awarded. It is intended that awards will be initiated in FY 2005 and FY 2006. Requests must be submitted by July 1, 2005 for funding in FY 2005 or by July 1, 2006 for funding in FY 2006. The work proposed must be within the scope of the parent grant. For example, investigators may apply concepts and technologies being used on nonhuman adult or embryonic cells in the funded project to the study of hESCs.

The proposed research can utilize the full range of cell biological, genetic or molecular approaches. The request for an administrative supplement must include a careful description of the work proposed, an explanation of the relationship to the parent grant, and a justification for the study. The NICHD intends to commit up to $300,000 direct costs per year for this initiative in FY 2005 and FY 2006. This is a one-time announcement. However, the NICHD may re-release the announcement depending upon the needs of the NICHD scientific community and the availability of funds. Requests will be reviewed by NICHD staff. Awards will be dependent upon the receipt of qualified requests and the availability of funds. Grantees may request funds for small items of equipment, supplies, purchase of hESCs, and personnel to work with hESCs. Funds may also be requested to support travel and other costs needed to acquire necessary expertise in the handling of hESCs. Investigators must independently contact the hESC providers listed on the NIH Registry and make arrangements to obtain the cell lines, including any required material transfer agreements (MTA). Applicants must indicate which hESC lines will be used. A letter indicating that the provider has agreed to supply the hESC line must be furnished either with the application (see below) or just prior to the award.

Investigators must either demonstrate prior ability to work with hESCs or outline plans for obtaining training to culture hESCs. The hESC providers, other laboratories with hESC experience, or laboratory training courses on hESC methods are potential means of obtaining this training. Other means for acquiring hESC expertise may be proposed.

Application Procedures

To apply for an administrative supplement, it is advisable to first discuss your request with the NICHD Program Director who manages your grant or with Dr. Tasca at the address below. After this discussion, send an original letter, co-signed by the business official of the grantee institution, to your Program Director, with one copy to Dr. Tasca (below) and one copy to Ms. Hanopole (below). The letter (two-page limit) should include: 1) an abstract of the proposed supplemental activity and how it is related to the parent grant; 2) a description of how the requested supplement will provide the resources and expertise necessary to design and perform the experiments using hESCs; 3) the NIH code for the selected hESC line(s); 4) details of the budget items requested and funding period; and 5) current contact information for the Principal Investigator, including postal and email addresses. Although these descriptions should be as concise as possible, sufficient detail must be provided to allow the NICHD to evaluate the request.